subject: Jargon Buster: Boiler And Heating Terms Explained [print this page] Lets face it; DIY is complicated enough, without having to tackle unfamiliar jargon and industry-specific words. To make things a little simpler, heres are description of some common terms:
Bleed valve
Are you radiators warm at the bottom and cold at the top? If so, they probably need bleeding. You can do this by turning the bleed valve on the side of the radiator using the bleed key. This little device lets the trapped air out and will help your heating system to work effectively. Click here for a YouTube tutorial and get handy round the house.
Boiler flue
A boiler flue helps transport spent fuel gasses from the appliance to the outside of the property. Most are fan assisted and prevent fumes from building up inside the house. To make sure yours is working properly, its wise to take out boiler cover online and arrange a boiler service.
Boiler fume thermostat
Again, this is a small device found on your boiler. Its a safety and control feature that measures the temperature of gasses entering the flue after the burner. A Gas Safe Register approved engineer should check this is working as part of an annual safety check or CP12 inspection.
Combination boiler
There are many different types of boiler, so its important to choose one thats right for your home. A combination boiler burns fuel to heat water for the central heating system and the hot water supply and is a pretty nifty piece of equipment. If it stops working, reputable boiler breakdown companies will send out a Gas Safe engineer to fix it.
Corrosion
You may have heard of a wall or road corroding, but what does this mean in heating terms? Well, corrosion inside central heating systems is often caused from hard-water deposits or from oxygenated water reacting with the systems meal components. It can cause the breakdown of a system and needs to be resolved quickly.
Double panel radiator
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a single and a double panelled radiator (apart from the number of panels)? Well, a double panelled radiator has a larger surface area and therefore gives off more heat helping to heat your home quicker.
Many terms arent as difficult to understand as you may think, so dont let the lingo put you off.
